News about the Irish & Irish American culture, music, news, sports. This is hosted by the Irish Aires radio show on KPFT-FM 90.1 in Houston, Texas (a Pacifica community radio station)

May 03, 2007

AOH Meehan Appeals For Help With Disappeared

MEEHAN APPEALS FOR HELP WITH DISAPPEARED

Quincy, MA May 3rd The National President of the Ancient Order ofHibernians (AOH) Jack Meehan appealed for any information thatmay help recover the remains of 9 individuals that disappearedduring the conflict in Ireland so their families can have closureand provide a Christian burial.

“The loss of a loved one is difficult enough,” explainedPresident Meehan, “but that pain grows because there has been noclosure. I urge all the paramilitaries to continue theircooperation with the Commission and help close this sad chapterof the conflict.”

Meehan continued: “America became a sanctuary for so many Irishvictimized by the conflict it is possible that someone here couldbe helpful. I urge anyone here with any information regardingthese individuals (see attached list), no matter howinsignificant it might seem, to contact The Commission or Ms AnnMorgan or Ciaran McGraw, spokespeople for the families.”

“This is a mission of mercy by Irish and English statute”concluded the Quincy native, “and any information provided aspart of this appeal is completely confidential and barred frombeing used to prosecute cases.”

The Disappeared group is searching for the remains of 9 men allkilled between the late 70’s and early 80’s. The youngest isColumba Mc Veigh (17) from Donaghmore, Co Tyrone and the oldestis Charlie Armstrong (51) from So Armagh.

Those with any information are asked to contact either theIndependent Commission for Location of Victims Remains (ICLVR),Box 10827, Dublin 2, Ireland or Confidential Telephone Line 011-353-1-4758002 or website link at www.wavetraumacentre.org.ukAlso, Ms Anne Morgan at 011-44-28-302-65804 orcastleowen9@hotmail.com.

Callers are asked to leave some contact number only forclarification purposes and not for identification.